Acoustic

Everything But the Girl | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 2, 1992)
• Original Release Date: June 2, 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002ITQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,297 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Though they've worked with plenty of accompaniment, the heart of Everything but the Girl's music has always been simple: a voice (usually Tracy Thorn's), a simple melody, and enough emotion to keep Kleenex in business for decades. On Acoustic, Thorn and Ben Watt strip things down to the bone, and the starkness makes the music even more affecting than usual. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the material they've chosen to work with is pretty affecting to begin with. The five covers are fantastic (Mickey and Sylvia's "Love Is Strange," Bruce Springsteen's "Tougher Than the Rest," Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," Elvis Costello's "Allison," and Tom Waits's "Downtown Train"), but the five originals, all of which appear on other EBTG albums, hold their own; and three of them--"Driving," "Apron Strings," and "Me and Bobby D"--do much more that that. --Randy Silver

Product Description

Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing. Teichiku. 2008. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical "unplugged" release, February 28, 2002

By 

C. Brennan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acoustic (Audio CD)

Ben Watt & Tracey Thorn spent quite a bit of time touring in the late 80s and early 90s, playing concerts to smaller audiences in theaters and similar venues all over Europe and the US. Most concerts included a purely acoustic set. By the time of this release, ebtg had quite the stable of lushly produced, beautifully orchestrated albums to their credit. The most beautiful instrument in Ben Watt's arrangements, of course, is the voice of Tracey Thorn. "Acoustic" is the prime showcase for her vocals, over and above every other ebtg release.

There is a poignancy to Thorn's vocals that demands yearning, aching, hope and solace from the listener. Her naked rendition of "Come On Home" can transmute hope to dispair or back again. Their treatment of "Tougher Than The Rest" reveals the vulnerability behind the lyric's bravado, which is nearly lost in Springsteen's own interpretation of this tune. And, of course, the album wouldn't be complete without this riveting rendition of "Fascination", one of their most-requested songs.

I will admit a bias since I've been an ebtg fan for well over ten years now, but even given that, "Acoustic" is a must-have for appreciating the musical - and emotional - chemistry between Ben & Tracey. It's what makes them work.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous, January 3, 2005

By 

ch3r1 "ch3r1" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acoustic (Audio CD)

I heard this CD in a cafe and immediately fell in love with it. In a place I usually ignore the music in favour of conversation with friends, with every song we both became more determined to find this for ourselves. Beautiful harmony and vocals.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing but heaven from EBTG..., October 16, 2001

By 

Dale E. Hopkins, II (Lakewood, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acoustic (Audio CD)

The absolute reason that Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn have staying power is clearly evidenced in this set. Inspired by and taken from their Acoustic concerts, "Acoustic" is a treasure. While many of their comtemporaries had opted to burn intensely for the pinnacle of fame, EBTG has, instead, gone the more daring route. They stay low-key and craft their music with care. Sure... it may not be the best way to get rich, but it is their public who is richer for holding on as EBTG takes you on the ride. Each album introduces the listener to what really makes EBTG tick- Ben and Tracey are music lovers themselves. Their talent lies in their ability to recognise a good melody and a meaningful lyric and make it perfect. Whether covering another artist's song or revisiting their own classics, EBTG excels in their sheer musicianship. Tracey has never sounded better. Her vocals are raw and exposed, giving the listener the chance to really FEEL the words she is singing. There is not a bad cut on this disc, and I am thrilled that, for once, the US market was not stiffed. We actually came out ahead as the acoustic studio tracks were only released as an EP in the UK. The rest of the tracks- the live versions, etc. were culled from various odds and ends in the vault.

Treat yourself to an amazing musical and emotion-filled hour with EBTG. You won't be sorry. This what REAL music is all about. Also check out: HOME MOVIES: the best of EBTG, WORLDWIDE, AMPLIFIED HEART, WALKING WOUNDED and TEMPERAMENTAL. These are among the best of their offerings and a good way to experience their broad musical palette.